160 
NYMPH ALW/E. 
VVe saw among the Painlionidce a prototype of this family in 
the Genus Thais, all the species of which possess many nymphaloid 
characters both in their larval and imaginal states. 
This family is of wide distribution, some species, such as 
Vanessa Cardui, being absolutely cosmopolitan. 
The genera Argijnnis and Melitcea are very numerously repre- 
sented in Europe ; they, in fact, are almost confined to the colder 
and temperate region of the earth. Among the circumpolar 
butterflies there are more species of Argijimis than of any other 
genus. 
There are a great number of gorgeous species belonging to 
tropical genera of Ngmphaluke, but the brilliancy of their colouring 
is very nearly equalled by the common European Vanessce, such 
as Atalanta, lo, Urticce, &c., while the metallic decoration of 
Argynnis Lathonia may be said to excel in beauty that of the 
majority of allied tropical species. 
Genus 1.— LIMENITIS, Fab. 111. Mag. vi. p. 281 (1807); 
West. Gen. Diurn. Lep. p. 274 (1850). 
Nymphalis, Boisd. Ind. Meth. p. 14 (1809). 
Chaeactees. — Larva cylindrical, with tubercular excrescences 
covered with bristles or with branching spines. 
Pupa with a few angular projections, the wing-cases large. 
Imago. — Large or middle-sized butterflies of a dark brown or 
black colour, with white spots and bands. The hind margins are 
without angular projections, but that of the fore wing being 
slightly concave, whilst in the hind wing it is somewhat dentated 
but not markedly so. Antennae long, and with tapering clubs. 
Only three species occur in Europe, the Oriental Legion being 
the chief habitat of the genus. The Nearctic Legion also con- 
tains many fine and large species. 
1. — L. Populi, Linn. Syst. Nat. x. 476 ; Esp. 12, 1 ; Hiib. 108-10 ; 
Err. B. 37. 
Expands from 2.50 to 3 in. All the wings dark brown. 
Fore wings with a central row of large white spots, an oblong 
